I love getting these :)

There are a few followers of my blog that send me emails.  Last week my mom encouraged one of my regular emailers to come to the presentation today.  It was great that she could come -- and tonight --   Thank you Ms. Karen -- you make my day.

Sarah might enjoy this article I found about a spunky lady in a nursing home! I was looking up more stuff about the Gold Eaglet today at home, and found this. You may know I am a hearty scrapbooker, and today will certainly have a special place in my 11th GS album of all my years as a leader and SU member. I was so glad I took off school today and came up! So proud of you, Sarah!
http://blog.sfgate.com/mpark/2010/09/29/a-73-year-wait-and-at-long-last-a-golden-eaglet/



Karen

AWESOME!

What can I say - my family and my council managed to pull the biggest surprise EVER!

Not only did I get an early graduation present that is the best - my Grandfather got me a Golden Eaglet pin.

To make it even better - Anna Maria Chavez was visiting our council and SHE pinned me!

I don't even know how to describe the feelings.



This photo was a staged photo -- entirely because of the photo below with Juliette Gordon Low pinning a Golden Eaglet.

Golden Eaglet - Requirements

According to the 1934 Proficiency Badge book the scout has 6 requirements -

1.  Must be an active member of a Girl Scout troop and must have been registered for at least 3 years. -- I have been registered for 12 years

2.  Must be 16, 17 or 18 when she completes the requirements and the application. - I am currently 16

3.  Must have been a First Class Girl Scout for at least 6 months before the application for the Golden Eaglet award is made; must have earned 21 proficiency badges of which 17 must be those listed on the application form. - See previous blog posts

4.  Must have camped at least 2 weeks in a Girl Scout camp approved by National Headquarters.  Either 2 consecutive weeks or 2 1 week encampments. OR the 3rd way is 2 weeks in a approved troop camp experiences.

My Interpretation of #4 -- last summer I attended 2 10 day destinations events.  One in Ireland and One in Iceland.  The year before I attended a 3 week camping/lodging/jamboree in Ghana, Africa.  Not to mention my plans for summer 2014 - including leading a 10 day journey camp, 10 days sailing in the Virgin Islands and 2 weeks as a CIT II.

5.  Must have given satisfactory training to one or more Girl Scouts in the work for the First Class ranch with exception of proficiency badges and swimming.

My experience during the planning and execution of the Golden Eaglet Special Award and proficiency badges - I taught 14 girls how to put up and take care of a tent.  Took a group of 47 girls on a night hike during our service unit spring campout and identified constellations, animal sounds, tracks and plants/trees.  Finally, I worked with different Girl Scouts in my troop and council wide on their Bronze and Gold Awards.  As the youth director for Discover Green - I facilitated 4 Bugs, Flowers and More events with a total of 62 girls participated in the events.  These events included community service and learning about native plants and monarch butterflies.
 
6.  Must independently a satisfactory answer to a letter sent from National Headquarters about what she has done in Girl Scouting -- that will be the next blog.

Sarah's Bio

As an Ambassador Girl Scout and Gold Award recipient, Sarah’s Girl Scout activities and involvement definitely demonstrate her understanding of classic and contemporary Girl Scouting.  She loves camping, hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, Girl Scout destinations, is a Mariner Scout, enjoys learning new things including different areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Sarah is a member of our Girl Scout Hack for Change team, Area 4 honor guard, is 3^rd highest cookie seller and represents girls interests on the council travel committee and board strategic planning committee.  Sarah’s Take Action project for the Ambassador Advocacy Journey included an Outdoor Interests study of over 2000 girls across the country and the creation of the Outdoor STEM Journey pilot program.

 

Why did she do this?

Sarah is fascinated with Girl Scout history.  Owning several vintage uniforms, she is a fourth generation Girl Scout/Girl Guide and has compiled her families Girl Scout history stories during the 100^th anniversary.  As a 16 year old high school senior she still had 2 years left as a Girl Scout and her aunt challenged her, in fun to earn the other Girl Scout Higher Awards – Golden Eaglet, Curved Bar and First Class.  This challenge excited her to learn more about all three higher awards.  Thanks to eBay she was able to get all the manuals, badge books and even the badges for all three awards.  Her mom has her keep everything in a journal and a blog.  She also cannot do the same “badge” for all three awards and she cannot count what she did for one badge (regardless of the era) for another one.  “I want to learn and be proficient in new subjects – this is one way to make sure that I stay outside my comfort zone.”  For example the “tree finder badge” – she cannot earn it for the Curved Bar or the First Class since she earned it for the Golden Eaglet.

 

Outside of Girl Scouting

In addition to Girl Scout activities, Sarah is the Youth Director for Discover Green – a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, member of the Keep America Beautiful Youth Advisory Committee and the City of Pflugerville, Parks and Recreation Commission.

 

Golden Eaglet - Resources I used

In case you are wondering about what resources I used - these are some of the sources I used:

      

Golden Eaglet - Hostess

Thanks to my Grandmother, I have been drilled with etiquette and know how to set a table with speed and accuracy. I have taken numerous classes on manners and how to present ones self with, also, my Grandmother.   As a result several of the requirements for this badge regarding being a guest were review and I was able to prove my proficiency quickly.

The only thing that I had trouble with was... being a hostess. I do not have friends over much, so I was not used to having to play that role. Until around a month ago, I was an expert at playing a Hermit, this badge changed all of that. I now am playing hostess once or twice a week.  Which means that I can receive and introduce guests and bid them good bye.

I have had to write a note of invitation for various events.  I did this using traditional and modern methods.  I think I prefer facebook events :)

The last part was to actually plan a part/event and assume I didn't have a serving maid (that was easy).  This was successful - not traditional - but we did have food, beverages and entertainment.  Understanding the roles of a hostess for a guest who is staying a few days or more - was something I was familiar with and was able to name those responsibilities without any issue.

 

Golden Eaglet - Pioneer Woman

I have always enjoyed camping, thinking of it as one big adventure. Doing this badge was kind of like review... just harder.

One requirement that I particularly thought was useful, was being able to spot what or what is not a good place to set up camp. For example, do not set up camp at the base of a hill, due to rain and other things that could roll down the slope. Also if you are camping near a source of water, camping upstream is ideal. Never camp under a single tree, even if you are sure that there will be no storm.

I also learned about different ways to set up a fire, such as the Scouts fire. For this you have to have two fairly large logs, large in width and length. Position them in an upside down V shape, not closing the narrow section. Place the widest part of the V away from the wind and the fire near the narrow section. To cook eight place a pot directly on the logs, or place a flat rock to use as a sort of stove. Use the part of the logs at the far wide end as benches.  All things fire was 3 of the requirements and 2 were cooking on a fire.  I loved it all.  I cooked in a dutch oven -- all by myself (usually I do it with groups). 

I also has to share what I know about edible plans, getting water and shelter.  These are just a few things learned through this badge, other things I learned I have written in a manual for my Journey Camp. This is also another reason why this badge was very helpful.

After completing this badge - I finished writing up the Outdoor STEM Journey resource guide.  It makes me smile to think that Juliette would approve of my Outdoor STEM Journey.

I hope if you are following me and my blog -- that you know I have a facebook group for the Journey - https://www.facebook.com/groups/CSAGirlScoutsOutdoors/ and another blog that is not about Journeys or the Golden Eaglet.  But much more cookies :)  http://300badgesandmore.blogspot.com/